Greetings farhan!
It is always a good idea to use an analog mixer for all kinds of studio recording. Doesn't matter if you decide to record all the tracks to your hard disk individually (to later mix them in a digital domain using software like Sonar or Cubase etc) or mix them in an analog domain and then bounce to a stereo track (Will save hard disk space) to Acid or whichever audio software you decide to use. Again, if you're not pressed for hard disk space it is not an issue.
A good analog mixer is a must have if you plan on recording hardware synths and acoustic instruments or vocals.
Personally I mix in both digital and analog domains without any issues or problems. There used to be some issues with digital recording and editing but that is really a thing of the past. I've been recording, mixing and mastering digitally for roughly over 10 years and it was great than and is just getting better. With your 3Ghz laptop, a decent audio card and some good software you will not have any real issues worth panicing about
. Most here wil agree with me on that. If you had an older computer and a crap interface with bad ASIO support and software compatibility issues then yeah. It would suck. Not your problem though. and so on
Less of that though. It is really just a matter of preference. Put it that way. I record all of my acoustic instruments/ vocals into my G5 via MOTU 828 at 24 bit 48 or 96k but for my hardware synths I mainly use analog mixing (unless of coarse I need to process the **** out of some sounds using plug-in FX
) and it works out great for me. It really wouldn't make sense for me to record all of my hardware digital and analog synths into my Mac individually to then basically end up doing what I can pretty much do in an analog domain. Thus the answer to your question of the "professional standard procedure" regarding the use of Digital I/O in studios. Most hardware synths can be recorded using MIDI, mixed using an analog mixer and than mixed down to your DAW. There are some studio devices which do require the use of Digital I/O but really, there are too few to worry about. For you anyway.
Of coarse if you were to use software synths and instruments the wise thing to do would be to mix digitally since redunndant A/D conversion and extra math would only take away from the sound. However, I'm known for doing weird shit like running my software Oddity or Pro 53 through real tube preamps and guitar/bass amps to add a different character to the sound. But that's just me.
Mixer wise I can only recommend what I've been using myself for as long as I remember. Right now I use two Mackie 12/02 mixers as my "mixer-mixers", a slightly older 16/04 and a used SR-24. All are great. I'm maxed out on my inputs. Because I'm nuts and I have too much stuff here.
In your case you'll be quite happy with something like a Mackie 12/02. It's got 4 stereo inputs (l/R each), two FX sends, 4 mic preamps (or XLR balanced ins if you wish to use them that way) an alternate 3-4 bus to basically rout any channel to (to then go directly to your DAW inputs) and four inserts (never used them myself). THere is a 3-band EQ per channel (or stereo channel). Mackie bass EQ drops below 80hz which is pretty good for low low basses. Most mixers don't fall below 100hz when it comes to bass EQ. In overall it's a good little mixer.
Mind you there are other good mixers out there too but since I haven't got any personal experience using them I would prefer sticking to what I know.
So that was my $00.02 for ya. Good luck with your stuff.
-ED-
------------------
A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally.
- - - Oscar Wilde [This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 10-25-2005).]
Previous Topic
Index